Marine Corps TimesWhite House officials declared November as National Veterans and Military Families Month, calling it citizens' "patriotic duty” to honor their sacrifices for more than just a day.
In a closed ceremony, President Donald Trump touted the move as the latest signal of his administration's commitment to veterans issues.READ MORE

Military TimesFor the second year in a row, Military Times has expanded its traditional Veterans Day coverage to the entire month of November, putting service members past, and present, in the spotlight.READ MORE

The New York TimesAmong critics of the federal prohibition of marijuana — a diverse and bipartisan group that includes both criminal justice reform advocates and Big Alcohol — the American Legion and its allies stand out.
For more than a year, the stalwart veterans group has been working to reframe the debate as a question of not only moral and economic imperatives, but also patriotic ones, arguing that access to medical marijuana could ease suffering and reduce suicide rates among soldiers who return from the horrors of war.READ MORE

Military Times
Recently, Republican Rep. Steve Pearce introduced legislation to overhaul the life insurance program for service-connected disabled veterans, raising the cap on payouts from $10,000 to $95,000 and giving eligible veterans more time to sign up for the program. "Veterans injured in combat face many challenges as they return home and adjust back into civilian life," he said in a statement. READ MORE

Military TimesLawmakers finalized plans to boost next year's veterans benefits by the same cost-of-living increase as Social Security, meaning a 2 percent boost in payouts starting in December.
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By Scott E. Rupp President Donald Trump announced in August that new efforts were required to better use technology to improve healthcare for veterans and greatly expand their access to care. Veterans Administration initiatives have since been underway to use video technology and diagnostic tools to conduct medical exams. Thus, veterans — especially those living in rural areas — are now better able to use mobile devices to make and manage appointments with VA doctors.READ MORE

Military Officers Association of America
The House Veterans Affairs Committee held a hearing to discuss proposals that could drastically overhaul the VA health care system and allow more veterans to get care closer to home. Lawmakers, VA officials, and veterans service organizations weighed in at the Oct. 24 hearing on draft legislation that could make it far easier for patients to receive care in their communities. READ MORE

ForbesLots of people have great ideas, which explains why there are so many blogs, podcasts, and people competing for our attention. These days, standing out from the crowd is no longer enough. If you want to make a living, you'll have to do more.
Some of you may be thinking, "How on earth can I do more when I'm already maxed out?" That's a valid question, which I why I reached out to Dorie Clark, author of the newly released Entrepreneurial You.
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TRICAREAs part of the changes coming to TRICARE on Jan. 1, 2018, there will be new rules affecting disenrollment. Beginning in 2018, if you’re eligible for TRICARE and enrolled in a health plan, there are three ways you can be disenrolled.

USNI News
A federal program encouraging public service by paying-off federal school loan balances is poised to be canceled, potentially leaving thousands of active-duty officers with mountains of debt they expected to be forgiven. Called the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, former President George W. Bush rolled out the plan in 2007 to encourage people earning expensive college degrees to work for the federal government.READ MORE

Defense Commissary Agency
Commissaries worldwide will salute the military community in November with special events and promotions including high-value coupon booklets for free frozen turkeys. "We're recognizing our military and their families, and all veterans who have served and sacrificed for our nation," said Tracie Russ, the Defense Commissary Agency's sales director. READ MORE

SURVEY

Veterans Association of America wants to know...

Do you think each service member is discharged appropriately (honorable, court martial, bad conduct discharge, etc.)? And should it affect their civilian life?

I'm not sure how they assess certain criteria in determining discharges.

It has been very interesting to see that some get certain preferential treatment and others don't.

They don't leave you with much wiggle room to defend yourself with the evidence acquired.

Some are motivated to get you out if you're not well liked or have pre-determined assessments based on your background and cultural ethnicity that you're "not a good fit."